What is life without challenges? What meaning has a life that is spent in junk browsing of the nth review of favorite movie? What can one start fixing if everything around is a problem?
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Plagiarism and Pride
Posted by Sri
On 10:12 AM
Not very long ago, read the interview of director Murugadoss (of Ramana, Ghajini fame), sho was talking so confidently about his upcoming hindi remake - Ghajini, starring Aamir Khan and Asin. The guy was literally boasting about his movie. Though it is a known fact that the short-term memory loss concept in the movie is a direct lift from Mementos, not many people know that even the little niceties in the movie (that I happened to love, when I first saw the film) have also been also plagiarized from other movies. Example is the scene in which Asin helps a blind guy cross the road - this scene was enacted much, much better by Audrey totou in the french movie Amelie. It is disgusting how someone can be so proud about a copy work. Guys like Jayam Ravi and Raja are 1000 times better, who openly borrow ideas from Telegu movies (rightfully).
Sometimes I am surprised by the level of copying that happens in tamil movies and media, in general. Some interesting examples:
1. Movie 'Makkal En Pakkam' - Ideas borrowed from the Sidney Sheldon novel 'Rage of Angels'. Looks like our storywriters are connossieurs of english fiction :-)
2. Movie Kushi - Eric Seagal's 'Love Story'. Cant believe? Well look at the heroine's name, heroin calling her father and saying 'I love you' overheard by hero, hero looking at heroine's legs while studying (not even turning a page in the book)..Feeling giddy??
3. Many of Kamalhassan's movies including my favorite 'Magalir Mattum' (9 to 5), ' What about bob (Thenali), Nayagan (God father)
Cant think of any more examples as of now. Can you?
Sometimes I am surprised by the level of copying that happens in tamil movies and media, in general. Some interesting examples:
1. Movie 'Makkal En Pakkam' - Ideas borrowed from the Sidney Sheldon novel 'Rage of Angels'. Looks like our storywriters are connossieurs of english fiction :-)
2. Movie Kushi - Eric Seagal's 'Love Story'. Cant believe? Well look at the heroine's name, heroin calling her father and saying 'I love you' overheard by hero, hero looking at heroine's legs while studying (not even turning a page in the book)..Feeling giddy??
3. Many of Kamalhassan's movies including my favorite 'Magalir Mattum' (9 to 5), ' What about bob (Thenali), Nayagan (God father)
Cant think of any more examples as of now. Can you?
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the crystal skull
Posted by Sri
On 8:44 AM
I dont think it is of any worth to review the latest Indy movie. Its a total masala movie that requires viewers to simply unhook their brains and enjoy. The movie follows the inevitable Indiana Jones pattern - archaelogical expedition to excavate the mythological holy grail, sorry lost ark, sorry again - its a crystal skull this time, constantly interrupted by villain's crew (russians, not germans) that tries to snatch the trophy till the very end. Indy makes it a point to even try to rescue the baddie towards the end of the movie (AFAIR, the holy grail version had this too).
Harrison ford is unbelievably charming as Henry Jones Jr aka Indiana (named after his dog). Thankfully, unlike our tamil (generally speaking, south-indian) heroes, Ford doesnt opt for a clever make up or younger-by-40-years heroine. The stunts are believable and the humor (quicksand / father-son scenes) is utterly enjoyable.
After a very long day (6 hrs of microeconomics class, can you believe it?), the movie helped me unwind. A must watch if you have an appetite for masala !
Harrison ford is unbelievably charming as Henry Jones Jr aka Indiana (named after his dog). Thankfully, unlike our tamil (generally speaking, south-indian) heroes, Ford doesnt opt for a clever make up or younger-by-40-years heroine. The stunts are believable and the humor (quicksand / father-son scenes) is utterly enjoyable.
After a very long day (6 hrs of microeconomics class, can you believe it?), the movie helped me unwind. A must watch if you have an appetite for masala !
Friday, May 30, 2008
The semester that was...
Posted by Sri
On 11:04 AM
Gone with the wind - the 3 month old first semester. Managed to score only a B+ in statistics, despite my engineering background and so-called aptitude for quants. What to do if the class average score is 92 - tough guys out here! The only saving grace is the A in the other course, Management and Organizations. Walmart and Newell papers received rave reviews while Enron fetched a mere b+ (one lesson here: If the thesis doesnt come out clearly, it is a wasted effort). The gist is that effort is inversely proportional to grades.
This sem, Microeconomics is interesting and challenging. All said, for a perfectionist, boundaries are nightmares :-). Talking about boundaries, I hope to get some sanity and start managing my time better to tackle the curve balls of studies, work and life...
This sem, Microeconomics is interesting and challenging. All said, for a perfectionist, boundaries are nightmares :-). Talking about boundaries, I hope to get some sanity and start managing my time better to tackle the curve balls of studies, work and life...
Monday, April 21, 2008
Walmart Thesis
Posted by Sri
On 11:29 AM
Glad to finally complete the thesis. One biggest lesson in group thesis was that one cannot expect all her great ideas to finally flow into the thesis and one cannot afford to pinpoint each and every mistake in others' works. Otherwise, it was great to learn from others (our group had the perfect diversity: 2 indians, 1 chinese, 1 japanese and 1 american).
Now, do I love or hate walmart after all these analyses? I dont know. But I do realize that the economic ecosystem that walmart has put together is inevitable. The sweatshops and environmental impacts are by products of the monster called consumerism. Walmart did not want to be the bad guy - as a matter of fact, they thought they are the good guys by lowering prices and increasing afforability. That is ironic!
Well- off to my next chase, paper on enron and individual paper on GE/newell/Coke (not decided yet). In other news, attended a CEO series session by Jeff Bezos of Amazon which was very interesting. Will write about it later. Cheers!
Now, do I love or hate walmart after all these analyses? I dont know. But I do realize that the economic ecosystem that walmart has put together is inevitable. The sweatshops and environmental impacts are by products of the monster called consumerism. Walmart did not want to be the bad guy - as a matter of fact, they thought they are the good guys by lowering prices and increasing afforability. That is ironic!
Well- off to my next chase, paper on enron and individual paper on GE/newell/Coke (not decided yet). In other news, attended a CEO series session by Jeff Bezos of Amazon which was very interesting. Will write about it later. Cheers!
Why is nature so unfair??
Posted by Sri
On 11:20 AM
I know someone who uses others to their advantage and treats other people like trash. Came to know that he moved up the ladder so fast these days. He has everything - including wealth, good family and a great health. On the other hand, people who cannot think of harming others are pained and troubled all through their lives..
Where is the so-called balance that is supposed to exist? I am not ready to believe the b.s. called 'such people will be punished in their next births..' If anything should happen, let it happen when they fully recognize that it happened because they did something wrong to others..Otherwise, what is the point?
Where is the so-called balance that is supposed to exist? I am not ready to believe the b.s. called 'such people will be punished in their next births..' If anything should happen, let it happen when they fully recognize that it happened because they did something wrong to others..Otherwise, what is the point?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
சுஜாதா ரங்கராஜன், தமிழ் எழுத்தாளர்
Posted by Sri
On 3:29 PM
My friend in college was once narrating a story called 'Nillungal Raajave', in the city bus. I was fascinated by the story and the level of intelligence the author has shown in that. Then, through my lending library, my sister and myself to read almost all of Sujatha's books, including serious reading like kanayazhi kadaisi pakkam. Brilliant man who had suggested practical measures for self-improvisation, honesty & uprightness who could laugh at his own perils when he was hospitalized back in 2003. Hard to believe that the inevitable death has taken this genius!!
Sujatha Sir, May your soul rest in peace!!
Sujatha Sir, May your soul rest in peace!!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Charles Fishman - The Walmart Effect
Posted by Sri
On 7:37 AM
A very interesting book on how how the retail giant transforms the economic eco system of the US, and world at large. Like it or hate it, you are still influenced by walmart (even if you do not shop there) !
I am really grateful that a person from boondocks like me is able to read such a book, thanks to my school (which included this book as part of my curriculum).
Life is wonderful ! Cheers !!
I am really grateful that a person from boondocks like me is able to read such a book, thanks to my school (which included this book as part of my curriculum).
Life is wonderful ! Cheers !!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Thoughts...
Posted by Sri
On 11:50 AM
While I am busy reading the newell case for my M&O class, a movie scene keeps flickering in my mind - a scene in which the protagnist, while wind surfing, is hit by a rock or something and is washed ashore, unconscious. The worst part is, I am unable to figure out which movie it belongs to (despite googling) and my mind is so very inquisitive - it wont rest till I findout the movie :-(
Has any one had a similar experience or is it just me!!!
Has any one had a similar experience or is it just me!!!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
overwhelmed
Posted by Sri
On 11:17 AM
Cooking 3 square meals a day (ok - I agree, boiling milk for cereals cannot be classified as cooking, but it is also a chore), while managing to do my homework for MBA classes and managing my full-time career seems to be quite a hectic task these days! Will I get those golden days back when I get timely (and delicious) food made by Mom and read some fiction as if it were the bible ??? Hmmm...
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
fit- will I ever be, again?
Posted by Sri
On 10:13 AM
After so much of lazing around, suddenly decided to travel back to the days when I could touch my toes without bending my knees (that seems to be an impossible task now!)..Hit the gym today after god knows how long. It still takes a lot of sheer determination to not slouch in my beautiful couch and watch my favorite TV programs while enjoying my favorite crunchy-munchy snack.
Will post my progress here from time to time. I have started and let stop so many activities in the past, but now I am determined to make this one work for me. Fingers crossed!
Will post my progress here from time to time. I have started and let stop so many activities in the past, but now I am determined to make this one work for me. Fingers crossed!
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